Mounting apparatus for an external airbag of a vehicle

• US 8,801,035 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2012
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Inventors: Kim, Yong Sun, Lee, Un Koo, Lee, Seoung Hoon
• Primary Examiner(s): TO, TOAN C
• Application Number:
  US13/673,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20130147174A1
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/728.3, 280/770
• US Class Current: 280/770
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/205 inflatable in the direction of an obstacle upon impending impact, e.g. using air bags

Abstract

A mounting apparatus for an external airbag cushion of a vehicle may include a seal side unit provided with a seal side panel that may be arranged on a lower side of a vehicle body and a seal side molding covering a part of the seal side panel that may be exposed to the outside of the vehicle body, and an external airbag module that may be provided inside the seal side unit and allows the external airbag cushion to be deployed outside the seal side molding when the external airbag cushion may be deployed.

Claims

1. A mounting apparatus for an external airbag cushion of a vehicle, comprising:

a seal side unit provided with a seal side panel that is arranged on a lower lateral side of a vehicle body below a door panel and a seal side molding extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and covering a part of the seal side panel that is exposed to the outside of the vehicle body; and

an external airbag module that is provided inside the seal side unit and allows the external airbag cushion to be deployed outside the seal side molding when the external airbag cushion is deployed.

2. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 1, wherein the seal side panel is directly connected to a floor panel of the vehicle body in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

3. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 1, wherein the external airbag module is arranged in space provided between the seal side panel and the seal side molding.

4. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 1,

wherein the seal side panel includes a seal side outer panel,

wherein a mounting groove portion is formed concavely at a part of a surface among outer form surfaces of the seal side outer panel facing to the seal side molding, and

wherein the external airbag is mounted inside the mounting groove portion.

5. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 4, wherein support guide pieces are formed on inner upper and lower parts of the seal side molding to protrude, respectively and the support guide pieces are disposed on upper and lower ends of the external airbag, respectively.

6. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 4, wherein the external airbag cushion is deployed through a portion formed on an inner surface of the seal side molding, the portion being weaker than other portion of the inner surface of the seal side molding.

7. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 6, wherein the portion of the external airbag cushion is a tear line.

8. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 4, wherein first fixing holes are formed on the seal side panel and wedges are provided on the seal side molding to be fastened correspondingly to the first fixing holes.

9. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 4, wherein the external airbag module includes:

the external airbag cushion to be deployed toward the seal side molding;

an inflator connected to the seal side panel and fluid-connected to the external airbag cushion and configured to inject gas into the external airbag cushion; and

a retainer which is fixed to the mounting groove portion formed on the seal side panel and opened toward the seal side molding, and on which a fixing ring into which the inflator is fitted is formed.

10. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 4, wherein the mounting groove portion is formed on the seal side outer panel and a vertical enforcement panel is arranged on an upward inner space of one seal side outer panel based on the mounting groove portion.

11. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 10, wherein the vertical enforcement panel connects the seal side outer panel and the mounting groove portion.

12. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 4, wherein the mounting groove portion is formed on the seal side outer panel and a vertical enforcement panel is arranged on and downward inner space of one seal side outer panel based on the mounting groove portion.

13. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 12, wherein the vertical enforcement panel connects the seal side outer panel and the mounting groove portion.

14. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 4, wherein the mounting groove portion is formed on the seal side outer panel and a horizontal enforcement panel is arranged on an inner space between an inner side surface of the mounting groove portion and an inner side surface of a seal side inner panel.

15. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 14, wherein the horizontal enforcement panel connects the seal side inner panel, the seal side outer panel, and the mounting groove portion.

16. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 4, wherein the external airbag module includes:

an inflator;

an external airbag cushion;

a retainer surrounding the inflator; and

plural brackets which are connected in a longitudinal direction to a rear surface of the retainer and fixed to seal side panels disposed on lower and upper parts thereof.

17. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 16, wherein a lower part of the bracket is an opened-clip shape to surround a lower end of the seal side outer panel.

18. The mounting apparatus for the external airbag cushion of the vehicle of claim 4,

wherein a guide panel covering the external airbag module is provided between the external airbag module and the seal side molding,

wherein second fixing holes are formed in the seal side panel, and

wherein projections are formed on a lower end and an upper end of the guide panel to be fastened correspondingly to the second fixing holes, respectively.